Chapter 24
Harper froze for a second, then realized that Emily had taken her spot in the passenger seat.
Emily sat there like she owned the place, a smug little smile on her face.
That smile screamed victory, her eyes practically glowing with arrogance.
Harper felt a chill run through her, but she kept her face calm and collected.
Without even glancing at Alex, she told Caden, “Let’s go.”
Caden shrugged and made a playful gesture for her to lead the way.
Neither of them acknowledged Alex, like he was invisible.
Alex felt a deep sense of emptiness, like someone had punched a hole right through him.
“Did you organize the meeting notes?” Alex asked, his voice cold.
Seriously, is this the time for that? Harper sneered inwardly.
She turned to him, her tone all business. “Mr. Lavien, I sent them to you twenty minutes ago.”
“I didn’t get them.”
Harper chuckled softly. “It showed that the email was delivered successfully.”
Alex checked his phone, still looking cold. “Must be a system issue.”
Harper shot back, “Want me to send them again, Mr. Lavien? I have a backup on my phone. I can send it to you right now, face to face.”
She stressed “face to face, making it clear she had proof.
“No need. I have some questions. Come up and explain.”
His excuse was so righteous she couldn’t refuse.
Harper didn’t say anything more, her voice icy, “Fine.”
Just then, Caden stepped in front of Harper, a smirk on his face.
Ms. Orsini, you are off work now. Even if he is squeezing someone
It was obvious Alex was giving Harper a hard time on 05
Alex’s piercing blue eyes locked onto Caden, exuding an
And
dry, there has to be a limit. This is
ridiculous.”
it was past
midnight–what kind of boss did that?
nessure.
“Harper is my assistant. How I manage her work is none of your business.
His lips pressed into a tight line, his tone icy.
“Mr. Elikin, are you so idle that you spend all day watching my assistant?”
Whether intentional or not, he emphasized “my,” staking his claim.
Harper felt a pang of bitterness. So, she was just his assistant, nothing more.
Caden laughed, a carefree sound.
I have an agenda.”
He looked at Harper, his eyes filled with affection, and asked in a teasing tone, “Ms. Orsini, when are you getting a divorce? I can’t wait to pursue you.”
It was an awkward thing to say, but he said it so openly.
“If you need a lawyer, our firm has a whole team ready to help, free of charge.”
His tone was light, but there was an underlying threat.
Alex’s face grew even colder.
“Mr. Elikin, do you see yourself as some kind of savior? If so, why not do some charity work?”
Caden was about to retort when Emily got out of the car and walked over gracefully.
She acted like she had just noticed Harper and Caden, her face full of surprise.
“Harper, out so late with Mr. Elikin?”
She sighed softly, her tone meaningful. “Well, Mr. Elikin is young and successful, and the Elikin family is wealthy and powerful. You have always been very goal oriented. Are you planning to win Mr. Elikin’s heart?”
Her implication was clear: Harper was scheming to marry Caden.
She glanced at Alex, her voice soft.
“Alex, since Harper has someone to protect her, we should leave. I’m sure Harper doesn’t want us here.”
She was suggesting that Harper wanted to be alone with Caden for some intimate moments.
Alex felt even more stifled, a nameless anger rising within him.
His face was icy, almost frozen.
“Harper, do I need to remind you that we haven’t finalized our divorce yet?”
When he was angry, his thick eyebrows arched, exuding an intimidating aura.
“Are you that desperate? Willing to settle for any rich man?”
He cast a disdainful glance at Caden, his eyes full of contempt.
“Someone like Caden, a playboy, and you find him acceptable? I overestimated you.”
Caden was unfazed, his tone still light. “I may not be much, but at least I have good taste. I wouldn’t pass up a smart and beautiful woman like Ms. Harper Orsini.”
He glanced at Emily, his words dripping with sarcasm. “Mr. Lavien may be better than me, but his taste in women…”
He tutted, shaking his head. “Lame.”
Emily’s cheeks burned, her eyes softening as if filled with tears.
love.”
“Mr. Elikin, what do you mean? I may
be
Smart or beautiful as Harper, but who can predict matters of the heart? At least Alex loves me. We’re truly in
she w
was still the woman Alex didn’t want.
No matter how smart or beautiful Harper
In this, Harper was the loser.
“Besides, Harper hasn’t signed the divorce papers yet. Is it appropriate for you to be so openly with her? What will the employees say?” She spoke with
conviction.
Caden laughed, a bold sound, as if he had heard a hilarious joke.
After a moment, he stopped laughing and mimicked her. “Has Alex divorced? Is it appropriate for you to be so openly with him? What will the employees
say?
Emily was stunned.
She had heard that the Elikin family’s eldest son, Caden, had a sharp tongue.
Today, she saw it firsthand.
Caden didn’t let up on Alex. “Mr. Lavien, when are you getting divorced? I’m getting impatient.”
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Chapter 24
Alex’s face grew even colder, his eyes icy.
“Soon.”
At this, Harper’s lips curved into a faint smile.
*Mr. Lavien, I’ll resend the meeting notes. As for other issues, we’ll discuss them tomorrow morning.”
Her tone was distant, her attitude resolute, no longer the obedient assistant she once was.
Alex had nothing to say.
Harper looked straight ahead, not glancing at anyone, and walked away.
Caden quickly caught up, walking beside her.
“Ms. Orsini, let me give you a ride. I told you, you’re the woman I like. I’m going to pursue you. We’ll be a couple soon.”
His light–hearted tone drifted on the wind, but it made Alex feel even more despondent. Where had the obedient Harper gone?
